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Indian moneylenders in the Philippines that engage in 5/6 loans are subject to robberies, beatings, and even loss of life. However, recent stories in The Daily Guardian and Panay News caught my attention faster than a sneeze through a screen door. “Gay Lover Plotted Indian Loan Shark’s Murder” depicts a different, dangerous, dark twist to the world of “Bombay” moneylenders in the Philippines.

I’m introducing a new feature on “Philippines Plus,” “ASK THE KANO.” I’ll occasionally field questions from readers that address important expat issues regarding the Philippines. Let’s kick off this first Q&A with the following topic: 13a Permanent Resident Visa Update Philippines

Philippines Divorce Bill Doomed Again. I have some expat friends that owe me a bucket of beer. They bet me that a divorce law would be passed in the Philippines this year, 2018. I laughed my fat butt off! Ever since retiring to the Philippines over nine years ago, some legislator has proposed a law to allow divorce in the archipelago. This mostly Catholic nation is the only country in the world (aside from Vatican City) which doesn’t allow divorce.

ROY NARRA over at The Manila Times recently ran a story about a Filipina who tried to win back her ex-boyfriend with witchcraft. Oftentimes you hear the well-worn cliché, “Only in the Philippines.” “Filipina Uses Facebook ‘Witch’ to Win Back Ex-Boyfriend” is another prime example.

Are you thinking of retiring to the Philippines? I moved to this group of 7,107 islands with my beautiful Filipina wife over nine years ago. Aside from getting used to men peeing in public in broad daylight, there are other issues to deal with in this Southeast Asian “paradise.” Here’s my list of 10 Things You Need to Know before Moving to the Philippines.

GUIMARAS, SHABU LANE? That’s what a headline in The Daily Guardianrecently suggested. We moved to Guimaras, an island province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, over nine years ago. This sleepy, provincial island, known for the sweetest mangoes in the world, is generally quiet and peaceful. While someone might occasionally get a snootful of too much Red Horse and stab someone, we haven’t had any major problems while living here.

After living in the Philippines for over nine years and writing about my experiences in “paradise,” I’ve experienced the good, the bad and ugly over time. Regular readers of “PhilippinesPlus” are probably aware that I offer my opinion on a variety of subjects, whether positive or negative. Iloilo City’s Best Auto Body Repair Shop is an overwhelmingly positive review of a business that has been in operation for over 34 years and affords excellent customer service.

The Manila Standard recently ran a story regarding a Kuwaiti beauty blogger promoting Filipino slavery. Sondo al-Qattan proclaims she will not hire a Filipino domestic helper as they are now entitled to four days off a month. In full disclosure I have a sister-in-law who has been employed as a household assistant in Kuwait for over seven years now. I take this so-called social media star’s racist remarks quite personally.